Good book of drives for Orange at Nelson

Sideshow Bruce (Sweet Lou) has come a long way in a short time and today he’ll have to take another big step up.

The Robert Stuart-trained four-year-old has had three wins and a second in four career harness racing starts and at 7.09pm will carry local hopes in the day’s feature at Richmond Park, the $25,000 Nelson Pine Industries Nelson Cup.

The country’s top driver Blair Orange will again drive Sideshow Bruce after guiding him to a winning double at Westport on Boxing Day and December 28.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how he goes,” says Orange, “this will be the hardest field he’s raced and it will be interesting to see how he shapes up and we’ll get a line on where he’s at.”

It will also be Sideshow Bruce’s first standing start. He’s drawn one over the 3000 metres and is currently a $10 fifth favourite, behind Rakero Rocket, Who’s Delight, Xlendi and Built For Glory.

Rising star Rakero Rocket was an impressive winner of the first ever four-year-old Group 1 The Christian Cullen at Addington on December 6 while Orange is mindful of the Bob Butt trained and driven Xlendi.

“Xlendi’s off the front and no slouch.”

Orange has a full book of 11 drives today at one of his favourite places.

“I love Nelson , I could retire there,” says Orange, “and it’s a lovely track, everyone gets their chance.”

Orange looks to have plenty of chances himself.

“They look a pretty even lot and there’s a few there with a bit of luck can be winning or in the money,” says Orange.

Among them Nellie Doyle has won a trial for trainer Tim Trathen ahead of her resumption,  Lasa has been in good form for Cran and Chrissie Dalgety, and the likes of Racingmissgracie, Light Me Up and Just Holla have all been well backed.

And Orange is upbeat about the chances of the Paul Nairn-trained El Conqueror in the Jack Behrns / Joe Hill Tribute Handicap Trot at 7.34pm after he had two seconds at Westport and a fifth at Reefton between Christmas and New Year.

“I think this is a winnable race for him. He was a bit flat on the last day at Reefton the way the track was playing but we were pretty happy with both days at Westport.”

Blair Orange’s Nelson drives : 

Race 1 – 3.13pm – Racingmissgracie
Race 2 – 3.47pm – Light Me Up
Race 3 – 4.23pm – Nellie Doyle
Race 4 – 4.57pm – Lasa
Race 5 – 5.22pm – Just Holla
Race 6 – 5.49pm – Kawactus
Race 7 – 6.17pm – Bella Lindenny
Race 8 – 6.42pm – What A Minx
Race 9 – 7.09pm – Sideshow Bruce
Race 10 – 7.34pm – El Conqueror
Race 11 – 8.03pm – Follow Your Dream

Orange wrapped up his seventh consecutive drivers’ premiership at the conclusion of the 2024 and has had five wins so far in 2025 to be second equal, two wins behind leader Matthew Williamson.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Dave Di Somma, for Harness News Desk